You know you were brought up by Irish parents if…

The Irish American childhood also has its challenges – as well as its highlights.
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In “Angela’s Ashes,” Frank McCourt observed that the miserable Irish childhood is the only kind worth having. Well, it’s hard to argue with his million-selling (and Pulitzer Prize-winning) memoir, but the Irish American childhood also has its challenges – as well as its highlights.

For the first-generation children of Irish immigrants, there is a common ground of universal experiences and strictly observed rituals. While today’s free Skype calls and instant Facebook updates have brought Ireland and the folks back home much closer, it wasn’t long ago that “talking to Ireland” was a big deal. When airmail letters were written on “onion skin” paper because it was cheaper to send via airmail.

It’s a different world now, but here are some signs that you were raised by Irish parents:

In any crisis large or small, the first thing to say is, “Jesus, Mary and Joseph.”

Irish parents have an all-pupose saying.

Your house contained a holy water font, a Child of Prague statue and a picture of JFK.

JFK and RFK were always on the wall.

You’ve never seen anyone put flowers in a Waterford Crystal vase, although you have heard stories...